Devices for converting a downlink subframe

Abstract

An evolved Node B (eNB) configured for converting a downlink subframe is disclosed. The eNB includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The eNB determines whether to convert a target downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2. The eNB also transmits physical (PHY) layer signaling indicating a subframe conversion for the target downlink subframe if it is determined to convert the target downlink subframe to the special subframe type 2.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An evolved Node B (eNB) configured for converting a downlink subframe, comprising:
 a processor; 
 memory in electronic communication with the processor; 
 instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the instructions being executable to cause the processor to:
 transmit physical (PHY) layer signaling to convert the downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2, wherein the special subframe type 2 comprises at least an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS). 
 
 
     
     
       2. The eNB of  claim 1 , wherein the special subframe type 2 further comprises a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS). 
     
     
       3. The eNB of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable to:
 determine whether the downlink subframe immediately follows an uplink subframe; and 
 determine the subframe structure of the special subframe type. 
 
     
     
       4. The eNB of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable to transmit Acknowledgement and Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) data in a subframe that is a number of subframes after the target downlink subframe. 
     
     
       5. A User Equipment (UE) configured for receiving a signal, comprising:
 a processor; 
 memory in electronic communication with the processor; 
 instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the instructions being executable to cause the processor to:
 convert a target downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2, wherein the special subframe type 2 comprises a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS). 
 
 
     
     
       6. A User Equipment (UE) configured for receiving a signal, comprising:
 a processor; 
 memory in electronic communication with the processor; 
 instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the instructions being executable to cause the processor to:
 convert a target downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2; 
 determine whether the target downlink subframe immediately follows an uplink subframe; and 
 determine the subframe structure of the special subframe type 2. 
 
 
     
     
       7. A method for converting a downlink subframe, comprising:
 determining whether to convert a target downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2, wherein the special subframe type 2 comprises at least an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS); and 
 transmitting physical (PHY) layer signaling to convert the downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2 where the special subframe type 2 further comprises a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS). 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the special subframe type 2 further comprises a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS). 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises:
 determining the subframe structure of the special subframe type 2 based on whether the target downlink subframe immediately follows an uplink subframe. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting Acknowledgement and Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) data in a subframe that is a number of subframes after the target downlink subframe. 
     
     
       11. A method for receiving a signal, comprising:
 receiving physical (PHY) layer signaling to convert a downlink subframe to a special subframe type 2, wherein the special subframe type 2 comprises at least an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS); and 
 converting a target downlink subframe to the special subframe type 2. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the special subframe type 2 further comprises a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS). 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein if an uplink-downlink association does not exist for the target downlink subframe, the method further comprises:
 determining whether the target downlink subframe immediately follows an uplink subframe; and 
 determining the subframe structure of the special subframe type. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises receiving Acknowledgement and Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) data in a subframe that is a number of subframes after the target downlink subframe.